Emergency Departments at Chatham-Kent Health Alliance Experience Sustained Significant Pressures; Longer Waits for Care

 CHATHAM-KENT: May 31, 2022 – Due to sustained significant bed capacity concerns and increasing pressure across the acute care system, Chatham-Kent Health Alliance (CKHA) is asking the public to seek care for non-emergency needs in community settings where possible, such as their family physician or local walk-in medical clinic to help alleviate strain on the system.

Although emergency cases are always attended to immediately to receive rapid medical treatment, patients attending the Emergency Department at CKHA for non-emergency ailments should expect longer wait times than usual.  Ambulance response times for non-emergency situations may also be longer than usual.

Where possible, patients are advised to seek alternative options for care:

• For a list of local walk-in clinics and COVID-19 resources, please click here to visit the Chatham-Kent Ontario Health Team’s resource page. 
• Visit www.eriestclairhealthline.ca for an extensive directory of health services in the region.
• Health Connect Ontario (replaces the former Telehealth Ontario) offers health advice 7 days a week, 24 hours a day; dial 8-1-1 or visit the online tool by clicking here.

The COVID-19 Assessment Centre located at 10 Grand Avenue in Chatham provides care for those with mild to moderate COVID-19, cold and flu-like symptoms who need a clinical assessment.  Clinical staff at the Assessment Centre will conduct an assessment, may offer a COVID-19 test, and may offer treatments.  You do not have to be eligible for a COVID-19 test in order to attend the COVID-19 Assessment Centre.  Appointments can be booked directly on the COVID-19 Assessment Centre website, www.assessmentbooking.ca or by calling 519.436.2556.

CKHA and its partners continue to collaborate to ensure the regional system is able to handle the influx of patients and ensure timely access to care. If you or someone you know are experiencing a medical emergency, please do not hesitate to dial 9-1-1 or visit your nearest Emergency Department.